Southern African Renewable Heating and Cooling Training and Demonstration Initiative

Solutions developed

SOLTRAIN+ contributes to the transformation of predominantly fossil based energy systems to sustainable, affordable and carbon-free systems, by promoting the use of renewable heating and cooling (RHC) technologies such as solar thermal, heat pumps and energy efficiency measures. RHC demonstration systems in the buildings sector, industry/commerce, tourism and hospitals coupled with hands-on training are at the center of the initiative. The targeted countries are Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Through out-reach and awareness raising activities the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) will promote the expansion of the initiative to at least six additional SADC member states during the implementation period and to all SADC countries in long-term.

Main results

Energy transition and decarbonisation accelerated by increasing the use of RHC technologies in the targeted SADC member states. Well established expert community for RHC systems in targeted countries that implement institutionalized training at entry, mid and expert level. 195 RHC demonstration systems are co-funded and data on functionality, CO2 reductions and cost-savings is collected and disseminated. Increased share of women participate in RHC training at entry, -mid and expert level through targeted interventions and bursaries and benefit from job opportunities in the renewable energy sector.